God’s Truth for Trying Times - 2/6/22

We need God’s truth in trying times. Read the Scripture passage, think about what it is saying, then pray; by yourself or with your household. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16).

READ: Ephesians 4:17-19 

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.  They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. [Ephesians 4:17-19 ESV]

CONSIDER: Believers are saved from their sins but are still tempted to go back into them and so God here commands us to not walk or live in futility, and you'll notice that it's about the mind. About being darkened in understanding due to ignorance, and hardness of heart. So people become hardened and give themselves over to sin and then begin to practice it in crazy ways. We are not to live like this any longer. All who have the Spirit of God want to please God and therefore God gives them strength to obey him.

THINK: What does this declare about God? What are God’s people being called to do? What assurance is given? How does the Word of God transform our hearts and lives and relationships?

PRAY: Pray these verses to God as a prayer. Pour out your heart in praise to God. Pray for others. Present needs to Him.